CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — A Pickaway County jury has found Jeffrey C. Rice guilty of trafficking in fentanyl, aggravated possession of drugs and possession of cocaine stemming from a 2025 drug raid in Circleville.
The charges originated from a joint operation conducted in the early morning hours of Sept. 12, 2025, by the South-Central Major Crimes Unit, Circleville Police Department and the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities executed two search warrants and two arrest warrants at a residence on 301 Sumpter Ave. The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Special Response Team secured the property before detectives entered to conduct the search.
During the operation, investigators seized three long guns, two handguns, more than a half-ounce of suspected methamphetamine, suspected fentanyl, more than $700 in cash and several items believed to be stolen. The narcotics were submitted to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for laboratory testing.
Rice, 49 at the time of the raid, and 50-year-old Misty D. Lee were taken into custody and initially charged with third-degree felony trafficking in drugs. Both were booked into the Pickaway County Jail.
Following court proceedings, Rice was convicted of trafficking in fentanyl, aggravated possession of drugs and possession of cocaine. Information regarding sentencing was not immediately available.
Pickaway County Sheriff Matthew Hafey and Circleville Police Chief Shawn Fisher previously thanked Circleville Fire and EMS and Pickaway Township Fire and EMS for assisting during the operation.
The investigation was led by the South-Central Major Crimes Unit in coordination with local law enforcement agencies.
Rice was found guilty of trafficking, aggravated possession, and possession of cocaine. He is currently on an OR bon,d and a PSI (Presentencing investigation) is being conducted with a hearing set for March 18th.
